IllustrationIT HAS SAME PROBLEMS AS ALL THE 02-08 XTERRAS BUT YOU WONT ISSUE RECALLS ON FUEL SENSOR, RADIATOR LEAKING INTO TRANNY, AIR BAG SENSORS, CONTROL ARM. THANKS FOR LETTING LOYAL NISSAN OWNERS DOWN!!!! *TR
2007 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Xterra years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
310–25K
7425–50K
8950–75K
9475–100K
162100–150K
48150K+
498 reports with mileage · 59 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 231 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 136 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
63 reportsTHIS IS ONE OF THE MANY TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH 2007 XTERRAS WHERE THE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYS IT. THE REPAIR COST IS 8500 DOLLARS IF THE 100000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS BEEN PASSED. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY DESPITE THE HUNDRED OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EX…
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THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH 2007 XTERRAS WHERE THE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYS IT. THE REPAIR COST IS 8500 DOLLARS IF THE 100000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS BEEN PASSED. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY DESPITE THE HUNDRED OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, WHEN THE XTERRA CHANGES GEARS THERE IS A ROUGH VIBRATION THAT KEEPS GETTING WORSE THE LONGER IT GOES FOR. HAD I NOT LEARNED ABOUT THIS ON MY OWN ACCORD THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. *TR
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY. WE STOPPED TO GET GAS AND THE TANK WAS ONLY HALF EMPTY. WE HAD THE MECHANIC CHECK THE CAR WHEN WE GOT HOME. HE SAID IT WAS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM THAT WAS COMMON IN XTERRAS. WE HAVE NOT FIXED IT YET. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT WE…
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WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY. WE STOPPED TO GET GAS AND THE TANK WAS ONLY HALF EMPTY. WE HAD THE MECHANIC CHECK THE CAR WHEN WE GOT HOME. HE SAID IT WAS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM THAT WAS COMMON IN XTERRAS. WE HAVE NOT FIXED IT YET. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT WE'LL RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY ON LONGER TRIPS WHEN YOU CAN'T KEEP THE TANK MOSTLY FULL. WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT OUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WON'T REVEAL OTHER PROBLEMS TO US. I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE LEVER FLUCTUATED AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE LEVER FLUCTUATED AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
FAULTY FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN ADDITION TO THE FUEL LEV EL GAUGE INACCURATELY INDICATING THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN ADDITION TO THE FUEL LEV EL GAUGE INACCURATELY INDICATING THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,200.
MY RADIATOR WENT OUT IN THE STARBUCKS DRIVE-THRU. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP & WAS TOLD IT IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW BY NISSAN WHERE THE FLUIDS ARE MIXING & THE ONLY THING I CAN DO NOW IS REPLACE THE RADIATOR & "HOPE" THE FLUIDS DID NOT GO INTO THE TRANSMISSION. GOT THE NEW RADIATOR & HAD A TRANS FLUSH 3 TIMES & PAID ABOUT $1800. IT …
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MY RADIATOR WENT OUT IN THE STARBUCKS DRIVE-THRU. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP & WAS TOLD IT IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW BY NISSAN WHERE THE FLUIDS ARE MIXING & THE ONLY THING I CAN DO NOW IS REPLACE THE RADIATOR & "HOPE" THE FLUIDS DID NOT GO INTO THE TRANSMISSION. GOT THE NEW RADIATOR & HAD A TRANS FLUSH 3 TIMES & PAID ABOUT $1800. IT IS NOW A MONTH LATER & MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. TODAY, I AM TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH WILL COST $3800. THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR. WE DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. FOR SAFETY REASONS, WE URGE YOU TO PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS POOR DESIGN BY NISSAN WHERE THE FLUIDS ARE MIXING & CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS TO THE CONSUMERS. *TR
FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE. APPEARS THOUSANDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN HAVING SAME PART FAIL IN THEIR XTERRA'S. *TR
I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. AT ABOUT 61000 MILES I FILLED THE GAS TANK. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS STILL SITTING ON EMPTY. SOON THEREAFTER THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY DASH INSTRUMENTS AND HAS NOT GONE OFF SINCE. I NOTICE THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN ABOUT 156 OF THE VERY SAME PROBLEMS…
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I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. AT ABOUT 61000 MILES I FILLED THE GAS TANK. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS STILL SITTING ON EMPTY. SOON THEREAFTER THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY DASH INSTRUMENTS AND HAS NOT GONE OFF SINCE. I NOTICE THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN ABOUT 156 OF THE VERY SAME PROBLEMS REPORTED WITH MANY OF THE PEOPLE RUNNING OUT OF GAS BECAUSE OF THIS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ITEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. *TR
Official recalls
108V690000 · Air Bags:frontal
Dec 29, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP12004 · Transmission Failures
Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.